‘The NHS if’ is a collection of essays that explores hypothetical scenarios and their impact on the future of health and care.
We spoke to a small number of experts – some of them members of staff at The King’s Fund and others external experts in their fields – to write short essays that consider ‘what if’ questions about health and care in England.
Our aim is to encourage new thinking and debate about possible future scenarios that could fundamentally change health and care. The essays cover three themes: the NHS and society; medicine, data and technology; and how the NHS works.
In each essay, the author gives their informed but personal view of a possible future. We invite you to let us know what you think and join the debate by adding your comments below the essays or by tweeting using the hashtag #NHSif.
The NHS and society
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What if Beveridge were reporting today?
Nicholas Timmins considers what William Beveridge, the founder of the welfare state, would think if he were to see health and care in 21st century Britain.
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What if the NHS were to go carbon neutral?
Chris Naylor considers what it would be like if the NHS were to go carbon neutral.
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What if ‘assisted dying’ were to be legalised?
The legalisation of assisted dying is an issue that divides opinion. In this essay Baroness Finlay argues against changing the law.
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What if we eradicated obesity? Looking back from 2050
Obesity is now reaching 'epidemic' proportions. David Buck imagines a world in which obesity has been eradicated.
Medicine, data and technology
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What if every patient in the NHS were to have their genome mapped? Please scroll
Professor Lord Ara Darzi of Denham and Dr Oliver Keown consider whether what impact precision health could have on health care economies around the world.
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What if everybody at the age of 55 was offered a polypill to prevent heart attacks and strokes?
Offering everyone the opportunity to start taking a polypill on their 55th birthday could dramatically reduce the number of deaths from stroke and cardiovascular disease.
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What if people controlled their own health data?
Health data offers the opportunity to develop a better health system for the future, but the public needs to believe its data is in safe hands, says Matthew Honeyman.
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What if antibiotics stopped working?
Professor Dame Sally Davies and Rebecca Sugden consider the future of modern medicine in the light of increasing antimicrobial resistance and suggest ways we can tackle the problem.
How the NHS works
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What if people had to pay £10 to see a GP?
John Appleby looks at whether charging people to visit a GP would benefit the NHS or add to its burdens.
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What if NHS leaders were more representative of their patients?
Vijaya Nath looks at the potential benefits of more diverse NHS leadership teams.
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What if the NHS had to balance its books like local government?
Lord Kerslake considers the consequences for the NHS if it had to balance its books like local government.
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What if there were community services for older people 24/7?
With an ageing population, rising demand, and pressures on workforce and funding, getting care right for older people is crucial.
Essay competition
We challenged our readers to write an essay for ‘The NHS if’ series that would explore a future scenario for the NHS, considering the potential impact on the health system and wider society. Now, you can read the competition winner and runner-up.
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Let's talk about social prescribing
What is social prescribing? How does it fit with other health and care services and what does it aim to achieve? Find out in our podcast episode.
The King's Fund responds to the King's Speech
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at The King's Fund, responds to the King's Speech.
The King's Fund responds to Wes Streeting's speech at the Future of Britain Conference
Siva Anandaciva, Chief Analyst of The King's Fund, comments on Wes Streeting’s speech at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Future of Britain Conference.
The King's Fund responds to Liberal Democrat pledge to provide £1 billion a year to restore the local Public Health Grant
'We warmly welcome this commitment from the Liberal Democrats to restore the Public Health Grant to previous funding levels.' says Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at The King's Fund.